St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-09-22
HAT SHALL WE DO WITH OUR
BOYS.
Christian at Work.

al am passing through the most try
'lsg experience of my life" said a
- ristian woman.
f'In what way ?" asked her friend.
In regard to Harry. He is seven
ZEN years old, and boy OF good prin-
ibles and good habits, and is very
bxious to find something to do, but
sere seems to be no place for him In
le world"
The anxiety of this mother has been
4lt by many parents. The question,
ANhat shall we do with our boy 7" is
very serious one, and one that is Of
N extremely difficult to answer. As
rule it may safely be taken for grant
j that there are no ready -made inches
aiting for boys to occupy. The boy
ust make his own place i'll life if he
Ould have it fit him, otherwise it will
La another case of the round peg in the
uare hole.
The world is unfortunately filled to
epletion with "misfit" men-not only
ID "parlOrs," which are so extensively
advertised, but in shops and offices, Oh
arms and in pulpits. WhyR Because
all likelihood the parents did not
now what to do with the boy, and he
lid not know what to do with himself.
Hence his life has been one long mis-
AXE.
If a boy has any strongly marked
atural aptitudes, his career has been
barked out in advance for him, and
is parents have only to see that he be
lucated in the line of his tastes, and
fterwards put in position to do his
fe work wOrthily and well.
So the first point in the answer to
lie query, "What shall we do with our
oys Z" should be, decide if he has any
trOngly marked natural aptitudes for
ny worthy calling.
And even here one needs to be on
ne's guard. A passing fancy in
AOy's brain is no evidence of ability or
Aste in IL certain direction. 1t does
lot by any means follow that because
boy succeeds satisfactorily in max
q mud pies and cakes that his calling
to be Il baker. Nor can it necessa-
ly be taken for granted that the ur-
hin with dirty face and hands, who
as been amusing himself making clay
Images, will turn out in later lite to be
N eminent sculptor. But If boy
hows decided mathematical ability he
lOuld be put in a position where that
atural gift will be of use to him. If
e has mechanical genius, his place Is
the workshop; if fond of machinery,
Dme machine shop would be the prop
situation for him. Don't put the
Rtural mathematician on farm, or
be boy with the mechanical turn of
lind in the pulpit, or the boy with an
ftist's eye and hand in a lawyers
lice.
The great trouble, however, arises
ON the fact that most boys have not
be slightest idea, for two consecutive
hys, what they would like to do or be.
he ordinary, healthy American boy
as a wide and all-embracing ambition
regard to his career. His choice
anges from clown in a circus to the
resident of the United States, taking
by turns the candy shop, the pulpit,
se Indian scout, the bar, and the loco
aotive engine; and probably he is
bite as well fitted by nature for one
ace as another.
The parent must decide for him in
ach cases. And he must decide while
Barring in mind the boys education,
nd very possibly inherited tastes and
endencies. Keeping all these in mind,
be parent should himself carefully and
rayerfully find an answer to the ques
Ion, "What shall we do with our boyf'
e should not leave his son to struggle
lone with the problem of life that be-
ms to press upon him. He should
blk with him, advise him, help him,
hd put him in that place.
And then he should keep him there
hat is an important item. Doubtless
he study or the work will be extreme
V irksome at first, for we are consider
81, 81 fI,.. HOY hn Inns de-
eided, taste for anything in particular
The hoe will blister his hands he viii
am Ills fingers in the printing press
le cannot understand surveying; ht
will burn his foot in the foundry.
"Let me try something else. l hate
he work. | would rather do anything
han that" complains the boy.
The wise parent will anticipate al
this and neither be discouraged no
yexed by it, nor yet will he yield one
ota to the boys desire for change
Just here is the point of failure in The
history of many a man. He was al
owed to try one thing after anOthe
when boy, and never succeeded II
hnything for lack of steadfastness. y
such material your true tramp is made
Here is where he begins his career
The old custom of serving an appren
iceship was wise, because it almos
insured the boy, who was once ap
prentieed to one calling, from changing
i 20 another. .l.
Surely if one ever needs heaveni
wisdom aud direction, it is when try
ing to answer the important query
sWhat shall we do with our boys !
Upon a proper decision depends nc
DnIy the success and usefulness of afte
ife, but very possibly the eternal des
tiny of our boys.
No wonder the mother is SO anxiou
about Harry.